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Saturday, August 30, 2014

Hey bookworms! Today I needed some new books to read and decided to take advantage of the Labor Day Weekend sale going on! I went to Half Price Bookstore of course and headed over to Target for a quick bite to eat and of course, more books. So, let's get started!

All books at Half Price Bookstore were 20% because of a storewide sale!

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver- HPB- $3.99

Anna and The French Kiss Stephanie Perkins- HPB- $4.00

Matched by Ally Condie- HPB- $2.79

Paper Towns by John Green- HPB- $3.99

Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen- HPB- $3.59

TARGET:

Four by Veronica Roth- $12.59 (30% off)

The Maze Runner by James Dashner- $9.99

Follow me on Instagram for more bookworm-ish pictures and more! @Books.Music.Life

I hope you guys enjoyed this book haul! If you have any other books recommendations for me, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Sixteen year old Tansy Piper is used to moving around all the time because of her mother, an author who believes they have to live in an environment where her stories take place. They move every time her mother starts writing a new book and Tansy is fed up with it. But when they move to the small Texas town where her grandfather grew up, she is lured into the world of a troubled young man whose death more than seventy years ago is shrouded in mystery. As if things couldn't get more disturbing, she finds strange artifacts in the cellar; an old pocket watch, a journal and a crystal, that seem to link Tansy's life and Henry's, the troubled young man, together. As her life becomes intertwined with Henry's, Tansy starts loosing the ability to tell the past from the present, his world from hers. Tansy must untangle herself from Henry's dangerous reality- before she loses touch with her own life forever.

Review:

Pros:

1. This spooky ghost story is definitely a unique one and is one that I fell in love with! The story is unlike any other I've read and involves mystery, lots of it and romance as well as a mysterious story within itself. I just loved this fictional ghost story and I think that any reader with a hunger for a creepy read is in for a treat!

2. The characters. I know I say this a lot but I loved the characters in this book. They were all different and yet the same. They all had appearances but also had two sides of them, a good side, and a dark side.

3. I loved the storyline for both the book and Henry's past and how it played out. I liked how there were certain characteristics that blurred Tansy's ability to tell the past from the present and how well her world and Henry's seemed to blend more and more together as the story progressed. It was unique and I very much enjoyed it

Cons:

1. The only problem I had with the book is that it tended to get a bit slow in the first few chapters but later picked up the pace about a fourth into the book.

Overall I really enjoyed reading this book and think that any reader who loves a good ghost story or ghostly/romance mystery will love this book as much as I did!

Age Recommendation: 13+

I hope you enjoyed this book review! If you have any more book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Hey bookworms! I just wanted to let you all know that I've been nominated by Girl Writes Reviews for the Liebster Award and I'm so happy about it! In case you don't know what it is, the Liebster Blog Award is given to (having less than 200 followers) interesting bloggers.

Here are the rules:

Post 11 random facts about yourself.

Answer the 11 questions asked by whoever nominated you.

Ask 11 new questions to 9 bloggers with less than 200 followers. You cannot re-nominate the blog that nominated you.

Go to their blog and tell them that they have been nominated!

So, here we go...

11 Facts About Me:

1. I'm the only teen in America who'd rather dive into a book than go out on a date with a cute guy or friends.

2. The color orange makes me physically sick.

3. I love to read and write and have been told I'm very good at both!

4. I want to travel and see the world, go to places like Italy or France.

5. I have been to Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska (lived there for six months), Iowa, Arkansas and California.

6. I love all music genres from Country to Rap, Hip Hop to Dub step.

7. I'm very adventurous and I'm not afraid of saying what's on my mind or doing something crazy.

8. I love photography and how it can capture the world and stay with you forever.

9. I'm addicted to my books and buying new ones! There's just something about watching my collection grow that makes me so happy. I love to read anything and everything!

10. I'm pretty much a nerd. I can spend hours at a library or reading, I love Manga and Pokémon and I also love getting my hands on a new book.

11. I'm a huge animal lover! I love dogs, cats, tigers, elephants and all land and sea animals. They're all so beautiful and make me smile when I see them in zoo's or at aquariums.

Answering Questions:

1) Which do you prefer: Coffee or Tea?

I don't really care for either but if I had to choose, I'd say tea.

2) What is your favorite TV show? (It can be running or off air)

I just can never get enough of Drake and Josh! It's such a classic and I grew up watching it with my brother and parents. As for a running show, I'd have to say Baby Daddy.

3) What is your favorite book and why?

I might sound like a parrot here but I just love The Fault In Our Stars! It's such a beautiful love story with emotions that are overwhelming and heart breaking. I've also read it twice. It's also the only movie that has EVER made me cry. I cried three times, tears running down my face, and I know I'll never be able to beat that record.

4) What is your favorite movie?

I'm old fashioned on this one. I just love love love The Wizard Of Oz and I watched it every single day when I was very young.

5) What or who inspired you to start blogging?
I really have a strong love for books and I saw so many awesome book reviews not only online but also on YouTube and thought it would be fun to start a blog and share my opinions about books I'm currently reading and help other people find new stories to add to their bookshelf.

6) Where do you see, or hope to see, your blog in the next year?
I hope people will still be reading it, that's for sure! I also hope to see it grow and hope to see more people just enjoying my reviews of books and book-to-movie adaptions and just plainly hope to see it still up and running as life gets crazier.

7) Where do you see, or hope to see, yourself in the next five years?
I'm an artist so I hope to be attending or graduating from UT with a degree in Fine Arts. I also hope that maybe I'll be a published author or taking the steps in that direction.

8) Which do you prefer: Hardbacks or Paperback or eReaders?
I have all three but I prefer a hardback most of all. I just love being able to kind of create a display of some of my favorite books by standing them up to face me and show the world some of my favorite books. I also like them because they don't bend like a paperback does and I love physical books so much more.

10) Find the nearest book, open it to page 93. What does the fifth line read?
"It all felt romantic, but not romantic." -The Fault In Our Stars. (It's surprising how that book was closest to me)

11) What is your favorite quote or personal motto?
My favorite quote is "Your worth more than gold" because it reminds me that even though people will judge and try to bring you down, I'm still worth a lot more than I think.
My personal motto is "Perfection is my enemy" because it reminds me that I am who I am and that no one can say what's perfect and what's not. It all depends on me and what I think is a perfect me.

Questions: 1. What is your favorite book-to-movie adaption?2. What is your favorite book and why?3. Which do you prefer: Coffee or Tea?4. Which do you prefer: Read the book or see the movie?5. What is your favorite music genre?6. Black or white?7. Glass half empty or glass half full?8. Where do see, or hope to see, yourself in 5 years?9. What are your three major goals at the moment?10. Books with pictures or book without pictures?11. Find the nearest book. Open it to page 36. The first line describes your life, what does it read? Thank you guys so much for reading and thanks again to Girl Writes Reviews for nominating me! I love you guys (my viewers) to the moon and back! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

Friday, August 22, 2014

1. First off, I was really impressed with how close to the book the movie got. The movie pretty much starts out the same as in the book, starting off with the characters having a family breakfast together, and stayed really consistent throughout the movie until the end. Some scenes were cut out of the movie that were somewhat important to the story but other than that, the movie was really surprisingly close.

2. I felt like the casting for the characters was really well done. All the actors and actresses really captured the characters and brought them to life, showing tons of emotion and becoming the characters themselves.

3. Even though the movie didn't make me cry, it was definitely an emotional movie for everyone in the theater. Many were crying their eyes out and it was definitely a heartbreaking movie but a beautiful one at that.

Cons:

1. Even though I liked the movie and the book, I felt like something was missing. Some of the scenes in the book didn't make it in the movie like I said, but some of those scenes I felt could've really made the movie more emotional and heartwarming. Even though most scenes were sweet and brought tears to people's eyes, it just didn't get emotional enough for me. Especially since some of the sweeter scenes were left out.

Overall, this movie is perfect for a date night or even a girls' day out with friends. If you're a book nerd and loved the book, this movie gets a thumbs up from me. Even those who haven't read the book, I could tell by some reactions at the end of the movie that some people hadn't, it's still a good movie that pulls at your heart strings and makes you see that through the hard times, we can still find a reason to keep on living.

Age Recommendation: 13+

I hope you guys enjoyed this movie review! If you have any more book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

Thursday, August 21, 2014

In the aftermath of a terrible accident that kills her boyfriend and sends her world spiraling out of control, high school senior Wren no longer has her life perfectly planned out. Struggling with letting go of the past, she fleas to live with an artist father she barely knows in a secluded forest home in Maine, her over worrying mother calling to check up on her every hour of the day. Wren just wants to be left alone to deal with her own struggles, without any help from anyone. But things change when she meets a boy, one who threatens to pull her out of her safe, hard-won exile.

Review:

Pros:

1. This story is beautifully and poetically written from beginning to end. Every chapter is easy to read with lots of emotion and so many changes happening all at once. It's truly a beautiful story about love, loss and letting go of the past and learning to move on from tragic events.

2. The characters in this book are truly unforgettable. Each character has their own struggles they're dealing with but learn to stay strong together. They're all so caring and play big roles in the changes as the book progresses.

3. The book never got slow for me and that's very rare to find in a book. I loved how each chapter left me wanting to read more. I could never put it down and each page was just beautiful and kept you hooked to the story.

4. Overall, this story definitely holds a solid place on my bookshelf and I just fell in love with every aspect of the story. So beautiful and a good read for anyone looking for a story about finding love in a dark place as well as learning to stay strong and move on from the past, learning that the future is and always will be bright.

Age Recommendation: 13+

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any more book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Everyone thinks that Syrah is the golden girl. After all, her father is Ethan Cheng, billionaire, and she has everything any kid could possibly desire: a waterfront mansion, private jet, and custom-designed snowboards. But most of what glitters in her life is fool's gold. Her half-siblings hate her, her best friend's girlfriend is ruining their friendship, and her own so-called boyfriend is only after her father's name. When her broken heart results in a snowboarding accident that exiles her from the mountains, the one place where she feels free and accepted for who she is, can Syrah rehab both her busted knee and her bruised heart?

Review:

Pros:

1. This story is definitely a book that any girl should read. It's all about finding who you are, accepting it and showing the real you to the world. In a place where she feels completely trapped, Syrah struggles to find her real self and takes a journey she never thought she would get wrapped into and ends up finding herself and true friends who accept her for who she is and not what she has.

2. The characters in this book are ones that I really fell in love with! They're all so different and even a bit hated at first but as the story plays on, you really start growing closer to the characters you once hated and watch the changes in them take place.

3. Overall, I really think this book is great for girls who are in that awkward stage of finding themselves and even girls who haven't even begun that journey. This story is all about finding the real you and not being afraid to stand up for what you want and what you're passionate about.

Cons:

1. The book started out very slow and there were times when I felt like giving up and just picking up another book. The story didn't pick up speed until a fourth of the way in and stayed steady until the end.

Age Recommendation: 12+

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any other book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

Monday, August 11, 2014

As some of you may or may not know, tonight was a very exciting night for fans of the book everywhere across the country. For one night only, an early screening of The Giver was brought to select theaters to premiere the movie as well as see some behind the scenes footage of making the film and a live streaming from the New York City premiere where fans could see live interviews with the cast of the movie and the author herself. So, come along with me as I review the movie and tell you my pros and cons.

Review:

Pros:

1. First off, the casting. I really loved all the cast members and who played what rolls. I really loved how they portrayed the characters perfectly and do an amazing job at bringing them to life. I don't think they could have done a better job than what they did for casting the parts.

2. I loved how they pretty much covered the whole entire book without leaving anything out. The whole time while watching the movie, I took notes and made sure I recalled when something was left out and what was left in. I was greatly surprised, and happily at that, when I saw that almost nothing was left out. Even if you hadn't read the book before seeing the movie, you would've pretty much seen it all on the screen.

3. At least half of what was in the movie was not in the book but it wasn't all bad. One word that comes to mind constantly when I think about describing the movie is the word beautiful. The extra scenes made such an impact on the story itself that it felt more powerful, more meaningful and more inspirational than the actual story in book form. Even the author herself, Lois Lowry, said that we she saw the movie when it reached it's ending, was the true story of The Giver. Some scenes were of love and war, heartache and happiness, sadness and anger as well as joy and peace and just truly beautiful in every way.

4. The scenes in the movie truly brought the story to life in an amazingly visual way. The scenes in the book about The Giver giving memories to the young receiver, Jonas, were truly some of the best parts in the movie. Scenes of love and war and every other emotion were full of color and emotion and some made you smile and laugh while others made you cry or even ache yourself. There was also more romance in the movie as well as scenes taken from The Giver's point of view and The Chief Elder's point of view. Once again, at least half the movie was not in the book but at the same time, I personally thought the extra scenes added a lot more to the story and delivered an empowering message. That a life without emotion, beauty and even pain and suffering, is not worth living.

Personal Pros:

1. It might not be the same for other theaters, but at my theater the tickets were completely FREE whereas I was expecting to pay at least $44 for two tickets. It was a nice start to the movie if I don't say so myself.

2. I also got a cool pair of The Giver sunglasses to which you can see on my Instagram: OutOfTheBlue1598.

3. Last but not least, even if you haven't read the book or don't even plan on reading it at all, the movie was good by itself without having any actual knowledge of the book. My older brother went with me to the movie, having not been able to read the book first in time, really enjoyed the movie just as it was. If you want just a really good movie with an empowering message or just something interesting to watch with family and friends, this movie is for you!

Thank you guys so much for reading this movie review and be sure to see The Giver in theaters everywhere on August 15th. Once again, read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous adoring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and choices. On a day that started like any other, everything changed. In an instant, almost all of that was taken away from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the only decision she has left- the most important one she'll ever make. Should she go? Or should she stay?

Review:

Pros:

1. This romantic yet tragic story is both heartbreaking and uplifting. I loved the emotion between choosing to stay or choosing to leave with only love and sadness separating the two choices. This story is definitely for those looking for a good read about love, family, music, living and dying. If you wanna know exactly what this story is like, just imagine The Lovely Bones meets The Fault In Our Stars.

2. I absolutely loved all the characters in this book not only because of the amount of love and support they showed each other, but also the strength and the memories they made together as a family.

3. Even though this book didn't make me shed a tear as promised on the back of the book (that spot belongs to John Green) it will definitely pull at your heart strings and make you prepare by buying a few boxes of tissues. The emotions in the book were very heartwarming and very real throughout the story.

4. I'm not gonna lie, I had my doubts about this book. But I was happily surprised to have found another read that I would recommend to my own friends and family. If you love stories about emotion, love and loss, this uplifting story is for you!

Age Recommendation: 12+

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any other book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

Don't forget to see If I Stay in theaters August 22nd! Movie review coming soon.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Life in the community where Jonas lives is very idyllic. Designated birthmothers produce newchildren, who are then assigned to appropriate family units: one male, one female, to each. Citizens are assigned their partners, their jobs and no one thinks to ask questions. Everyone obeys. The community is a precisely choreographed world without conflict, divorce, inequality, unemployment, injustice . . . or choice. Everyone is the same, except Jonas. At the Ceremony of Twelve, the community's twelve-year-olds eagerly accept their Life Assignments. But Jonas is chosen for something special. His instruction comes from an old man only known as The Giver, who teaches Jonas gradually that power lies in feelings. But when Jonas and his own power is put to the test, when he must try and save someone he loves, he may not be ready. Is it too soon? Or too late?

Review:

Pros:

1. This book is one that I do not regret reading. I loved the storyline very much and fell in love with all the characters and was very interested in the word where emotions do not exist. It's very different but at the same time, very inspiring.

2. I loved all the characters in this book and loved seeing the main character grow more and more aware of the world around him. Even though most of the characters were flat, it really implied the way the community was. Emotionless, equal, and peaceful.

3. It's a very short book, my copy being 225 pages, but was very easy and smooth to read. The words were strung together nicely and made reading it very simple.

4. Overall I really enjoyed this book because not only was it different from a lot of books I've read, but it was also interesting, teaching that without differences, the world is just bland and not worth living in. Jonas realized the true meaning of life and all that comes with feeling and it was truly beautiful.

Age Recommendation: All Ages

I hope you enjoyed this book review! If you have any book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

Don't forget to see The Giver in theaters August 15th! Movie review coming soon.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Sixteen-year old Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. In a world where androids and humans crowd the streets of New Beijing and a deadly plague ravages the population. Not to mention a ruthless lunar people watch earth, waiting to make their move. Cinder has a mysterious past and is reviled by her stepmother. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai, she suddenly finds herself caught between an intergalactic struggle and a forbidden love. She's also caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. She must uncover the secrets of her mysterious past in order to protect her world's future. There's something unusual about Cinder, something that others would kill for.

Review:

Pros:

1. I really loved the interesting mixture of different genres in this book. I loved the sci-fly fantasy and the romance. The fairy tail with a twist and a dark backdrop to Cinder's world. It was a very different story, unlike anything I've ever read and I definitely recommend this book to those who love a good modern twist to old classic fairy tales.

2. To describe the book the best I can, just imagine Cinderella meets The Terminator and Star Wars and who've got Cinder. I loved all the futuristic terms and of course the androids and cyborgs as well as the forbidden love story and the danger of a deadly plague and being exposed.

3. I just fell in love with all the characters! I loved how they went so well together and how each of them grew on you, even the nasty stepmother and evil queen.

4. Overall, I truly loved this book and everything it had to offer. There's definitely something in it for everyone, no matter how old or young, boy or girl. I loved the book from beginning to end and I know you will too!

Age Recommendation: 12+

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!